Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
As per the recent media reports, the ruling party of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has approved a proposal to ban cow slaughter.
In the country, about 99% people are meat-eaters. Whereas, the majority Hindus and Buddhists do not eat beef. Mahinda Rajapaksa-led SLPP party won a two-thirds majority in the parliamentary elections last month.

Notes:
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) are to collaborate in establishing over 200 supplementary nutrition production units.
This is to be undertaken under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. This partnership aims to reach nearly 33 lakh beneficiaries in 18 districts, by 2023.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the PM by, has approved monetization of assets of Power Grid.
Power Grid is a Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Power. The monetization is being done for the first time through Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) model. The proceeds of asset monetization would be used to fund new and on-going projects of the PSU.

Notes:
Prime Minister digitally launched the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), which will be implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
The scheme aims to promote sustainable development of fisheries sector with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crores during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. This scheme was announced as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package, to combine the achievements of the Blue revolution.

Notes:
Leading Private sector bank of India, ICICI Bank has launched an exclusive programme for start-ups named ‘iStartup2.0’.
Under this programme, a Current Account can be created for new businesses that are up to ten years old seamlessly. The Bank has integrated its APIs with the website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and the account number is obtained at the time of incorporation.

Notes:
The Naval Force of Iran has started a three-day exercise in the Sea of Oman named ‘Zolfaghar-99’, in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Navy is expected to test-fire surface-to-surface and shore-to-sea cruise missiles and rocket-launching systems fitted on warships, submarines, aircraft and drones. The exercise also aims to devise defensive strategies to safeguard the country’s territorial regions.

Notes:
The United States of America (USA) has recently revoked the Visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers.
The move is under the directions of the US President Donald Trump in May 2020. The proclamation is aimed at Chinese nationals who are suspected to have ties with Chinese military. In this regard, China has accused US of racial discrimination.

Notes:
The Government of India has set up a Panel for assessment of relief to borrowers.
It is a 3-member panel headed by Rajiv Mehrishi, who is the former Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The panel will measure the impact of the pandemic related restrictions on Indian economy and also study the viability of waiving interest on interest on the pandemic-related moratorium.

Notes:
Germany has recently carried out the first nationwide test of its civil alarm systems since the end of the Cold War.
The country has also newly created National Warning Day, or Warntag, which is to be observed every year on September 10. Several alarms were sounded to alert the public to create the awareness about the measures to be taken in the backdrop of a national emergency.

Notes:
A new study published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has found that Vitamin D supplements can decrease the rate of ICU admissions due to Covid-19.
The vitamin is found to be stimulating immune responses against various diseases including the novel coronavirus. The study was conducted on 76 patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in Spain. The patients who received the supplement were discharged without complications.